Australian Tait replaces Hastings in IPL

33-year-old will replace the 30-year-old all-rounder, who returned home due to ankle injury

NEW DELHI: Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait has joined Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders for the rest of the season, replacing compatriot John Hastings who returned home with an ankle injury.

Tait, who went unsold in auctions held in February for IPL teams, joins a long list of Australian players taking part in the latest edition of the cash-rich league.

Kolkata chief executive Venky Mysore wrote on Twitter and welcomed the former Australian international.

Pleasure to welcome @shaun_tait32 to @KKRiders family. Welcome Taity! pic.twitter.com/Us4NV3Blm1

— Venky Mysore (@VenkyMysore) May 11, 2016

The 33-year-old speedster will join fellow Australians Chris Lynn and Brad Hogg at KKR, which is in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs.

Tait is set for a second IPL stint after previously representing the former Rajasthan Royals, where he picked up 23 wickets at an average of 27.82 in 21 matches.

Tait, who quit one-day internationals in 2011, has made a mark on Twenty20 cricket with an impressive performance in Australia's Big Bash league.

He is known for bowling the second-fastest ball in cricket history, which clocked 161.1 kilometres per hour (100.1 miles per hour), in an ODI against England at Lord's in 2010.